Buffalo Wild Wings coming to St. Clair Shores

The St. Clair Shores City Council on Monday night approved plans for a new Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant to be constructed on Harper north of Nine Mile Road on the site of the former Shore Crest Lanes bowling alley.

Developer Kent Ward said he plans to break ground in March on the 6,200-square-foot building and have it open in late July or early August. The restaurant will seat 245 people inside and 85 on the outdoor patio.

“We’ve been looking for a location in this city for years,” Ward said outside of council chambers. “We believe we have the best corner in St. Clair Shores in terms of demographics for us. We’re close to the freeway and we’re not landlocked by the lake.”

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Ward said opening a Buffalo Wild Wings in St. Clair Shores was part of his overall franchise development agreement with the Columbus, Ohio-based company. He owns 34 other locations including the one on Market Street in downtown Mount Clemens.

Like the Mount Clemens store, the St. Clair Shores restaurant will a family-friendly vibe including a Kids Night with a clown performing tricks and children allowed to make their own ice cream sundaes. All of the restaurants have separate bar and family dining areas.

But the B-Dub chain is best known for its myriad of large-screen televisions for sport viewing along with a menu containing chicken wings with a variety of dipping sauces, sandwiches, salads and other items.

Mayor Kip Walby and the City Council for years have hoped to attract another family-friendly eatery such as a Gilbert’s Lodge located just down the street, so the Buffalo Wild Wings location will fit right into those plans.

Councilman Ron Frederick said he is frequently asked about the status of the restaurant.

“We’ve been waiting for you,” he said to the developer at Monday’s meeting. “Maybe the emails will stop now because it seems like we’ve been waiting forever.”

The property has been vacant since the summer of 2011 when the former Shore Crest bowling alley was demolished. Shore Crest Lanes and Lounge had been a popular recreation facility in the mid 1980s. It went out of business in 2008.

Ward also plans to demolish a vacant building north of the restaurant that used to house a used car lot office. There are no current plans for the site.